How Do You Wash Hardwood Floors?

A:

Quick Answer

Clean hardwood floors with a combination of regular vacuuming, or dusting, and less frequent mopping with a wood-cleaning product. Avoid leaving standing water on the floor when mopping, as this can damage the wood.

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Before doing a deeper cleaning, remove excess dust and hair from the floor using a mop that has been treated with a dusting agent or a vacuum. Do this once or twice a week depending on how much traffic the wood floors see. Avoid using a vacuum with a beater bar, which can damage the wood floor.

Clean deeply

Deep clean wood floors once or twice a year, always immediately after dusting them. To deep clean, mix a solution of water and wood cleaner according to package directions. Wet a mop and then wring it out so it is just slightly damp. Mop the floor with the wood cleaner, and then mop again with clean water.

Remove stains

To remove dark stains that have penetrated the wood, gently rub the affected area with steel wool and floor wax. If the stained area no longer matches the rest of the floor after cleaning, use a soft cloth to rub in wood stain, then buff the area with wax.